Makin’ It Happen

Opportunity and support for young people is not spread evenly or fairly. There are still too many young people in our communities whose challenging lives prevent them getting access to real opportunity which makes a difference.As one of the country’s biggest youth employers, McDonald’s is in a position to change that.

Makin’ it is all about providing young people from 13 years old with genuine opportunity in the areas they live in.

Together with our partners, we’re using the power of youth work to provide safe, welcoming spaces in our restaurants and funding music and football programmes to provide training, real-world experience and opportunities for young people in our communities.

McDonald’s x AJ Tracey

We're working together with AJ Tracey to unlock better opportunities for young people in our communities. And that starts with putting more youth workers on our streets and in our restaurants.

Why Youth Work?

Almost two-thirds of young people say they worry about the future, yet only a handful have a youth worker to turn to for support. The closure of youth clubs and loss of youth workers is only compounding the challenges of young people today.

We understand the pivotal role youth workers play in the lives of young people, which is why we’re working with BBC Children in Need to fund 500 new youth work qualifications and diverting a percentage of our Apprenticeship Levy – helping to put more youth workers back in our communities.

  

  

  

Our Restaurant x Youth Project Partnerships

Over the last 18 months, we’ve been working with BBC Children in Need and the Irish Youth Foundation, to partner youth workers and youth projects to local restaurants. More than 70 restaurants were paired with local projects, giving young people in these communities a safe place to seek support via regular youth work drop-in sessions, workshops, training and informal meetings for youth workers and young people.

The expansion of the initiative will see all 1,450 McDonald’s restaurants linked with youth services in their local communities. 

Coventry x Positive Youth Foundation

McDonald’s in Coventry has been working with the Positive Youth Foundation for over 10 years, providing space for youth workers to run informal meetings, skills and training workshops. The restaurant also offers mentorships and work experience for young people with more than 20 young people gaining jobs at the restaurants through the partnership.

Brixton High Street x Spiral Skills KIC

McDonald’s on Brixton High Street has been partnered with Spiral Skills for the last six months, facilitating drop-in youth work sessions within the McDonald’s restaurant. Each week, on a Monday afternoon, youth workers are available for young people to speak and connect with.

Grimsby x GRIP x NE Lincolnshire Council

Working alongside the police and other retailers in the town of Grimsby, McDonald’s established a brand-new, approachable youth zone just yards away from my restaurant, which opened in December 2023. The zone provides a space for youth workers, classes for young people and support services for those facing challenging situations in their home lives.

What’s next?

It’s our mission, that by 2026, every one of our 1,450 restaurants will be connected with youth services, supporting 460 youth work projects and 100,000 people in the process.

Over the summer we’re launching even more local opportunities across football and music, ensuring that young people aren’t giving up on their ambitions.

Together we can make a difference.

Keep In Touch

To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us on Instagram @McDonaldsMakinit or TikTok @McDonaldsMakinit

If you are a young person looking for employment head to our jobs page.

You can contact mcdonaldscommunitiesteam@redconsultancy.com for more information on Makin’ It.

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